Storm of Dogs by Erin Hunter Page A

is eating all the water in her path!” Bella whined. “She’s so hungry, she’ll swallow the town!”
    â€œRun!” Lucky howled, dashing toward the base of the cliffs. The cracked hardstone was splitting along the length of the street, and salt water burst out, showering Lucky as he ran. The ground bucked beneath him and he rolled onto his side, springing back onto his paws and then running toward the sandy bank of the Endless Lake.
    To make it back to camp, they would need to run along the bank—to risk the Lake-Dog’s wrath. He turned to glance at the other dogs, who were bounding behind him. Martha’s lips were moving. Was she sending her thoughts to the Lake-Dog, begging her to be merciful, to hold down her rage a little longer?
    Lucky turned back toward the cliffs. Part of the cliff face had fallen, revealing sharp gray rock. Roots and debris dangled off the exposed edge, and clouds of soil billowed around it, darkening the sky.
    â€œWe can’t go anywhere near that! ” Bella barked. “It isn’t safe.”
    Mickey caught up, staring out over the water. “We’ll have to risk running farther along the bank of the lake—there must be another way up the cliffs.”
    â€œBut the water is coming!” yipped Daisy, shaking with fear.
    Lucky thought furiously. The huge white wave seemed to be quickening to the shore, just as it was growing larger. How far would they make it along the bank before it reached them?
    â€œWe have to go now! ” barked Mickey.
    Lucky gave a stiff nod. “Everyone, this way!” He lurched along the bank of the lake, scarcely daring to look out at the pummeling water and the deadly wave that was gathering force. The dogs scrambled on the trembling sand, their legs pulsing and their breathheaving. They skirted around the cliff, away from the broken cliff face. The rocks rose sharply, impossible to climb. It’s a mistake! We should have risked the broken cliff—we can’t get away—we’ll be drowned by the wave! Just as panic seized him, Lucky spotted a path through the rocks that seemed to wind upward through tangles of grass.
    Thank the Forest-Dog!
    â€œThis way!” he barked, scrambling up the incline. Bella, Snap, and Mickey were right behind him. He turned to check on the others. Daisy was working hard, charging up the rock ridge on her short legs. Martha followed her, carrying Sunshine by her scruff like a puppy. Of course, poor Sunshine! In the panic, he had forgotten the little Omega. How lucky they were that Martha was with them. Affection and gratitude coursed through Lucky’s limbs.
    The path along the edge of the cliffs wound deeper, taking the dogs away from the lake. Soon it plateaued, making it easier to climb. But Lucky was still on edge. High walls of rock surrounded them and the ground was quivering, though not as badly as it had on the beach. But if the rocks start to collapse, we’ll be buried alive! His tail shot to his flank, and he tried to push the thought away.
    Lucky’s mind returned to the dogs they’d left behind. He thought of Moon and her pups, Storm, Bruno, even Whine. Most of all, he pictured Sweet. He threw himself forward with all his might, charging along the path up the cliff. His muscles burned, and he fought for breath. What if something’s happened to her? What if our good-bye on the cliff top was the last I’ll ever see of her?
    He heard a thunder of paws, and Bella appeared at his side. “They’ll be okay,” she murmured.
    He glanced at her anxiously and didn’t answer.
    As they reached the top of the cliff, they could see over the jagged rocks down to the Endless Lake. The enormous white wave had overrun the streets of the town, gobbling up houses and sweeping abandoned loudcages into its belly. Lucky shivered with terror. That was almost us.
    It was disorienting to reach the top of the cliffs. They had arrived at a